Costa Rica

Ultimate Wildlife 10.5-Day EcoTour

2018: $3,998 Group Departures

2018: $4,398 Go On Your Own

2019: $4,298 Group Departures

4 person minimum

2019: $4,898 Go On Your Own

2 person minimum

Add $250 for peak week departures.

Prices based on exchange rate as of Oct 2017 at the time our catalogue was printed.

Exchange rates are subject to change without notice, and additional currency equalization fees may be required at the time Wild Planet pays for local services, which may occur up until 30 days prior to departure – even if you have already made your final payment.

A Little More Info

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
Single travelers staying in a room by themselves will be charged this additional single supplement fee, as all of our regular prices are otherwise based on double occupancy.

SINGLE SHARE OPTIONS (if available)
If you are traveling alone and wish to share a room, we will make every effort to find you a roommate of the same gender, in which case you will not have to pay the single supplement fee. The single supplement will be charged until we are able to confirm a roommate for you. If we are able to match you with a roommate, the single supplement will be refunded. In the event that we cannot find a share for you, you will be required to pay the single supplement fee.

New: Click the Singles Find a Share' icon below or check our "Community" page to connect with other single travelers looking to share.

Costa Rica

Ultimate Wildlife 10.5-Day EcoTour

Destinations

Highlights

Bird & Wildlife Viewing in over 7 National Parks and Wildlife Preserves

Cloudforest Canopy Tour

Whitewater Rafting

Flatwater Wildlife Float Trips

Sloth Wildlife Sanctuary

Day-Hiking, Hot Springs

Beaches

Volcano

Night Hikes for Nocturnal Animals

Expert Naturalist Guides

Breathtaking Rainforest Lodges

Itinerary at a Glance

DAY 1 Cahuita - Nocturnal hike

DAY 2 Cahuita National Park, Sloth Rescue Center

DAY 3 Sarapiqui - La Selva Biological Preserve

DAY 4 Sarapiqui River Rafting

DAY 5 Arenal - Volcano, Hot Springs

DAY 6 Monteverde Cloudforest

DAY 7 Monteverde Canopy Tour, Ecological Farm

DAY 8 Carara, Manuel Antonio

DAY 9 Manuel Antonio National Park

DAY 10 San Jose

More Value! Compare our Itineraries!

Compare Wild Planet Adventures award-winning Costa Rica Ultimate Wildlife to any other adventure travel company offering trips in Costa Rica. We include more destinations. More activities. More park admissions. All meals. We create special activities so you see more wildlife, for longer periods, at closer range. Our high-end biologist and naturalist guides accompany you throughout the entire tour and run our exclusive activities. There is no fine print indicating "free days" requiring you to pay more money for activities. We do not have lodges run our tours (lodge-run tours are more commercial because they visit the same places every day, often with large groups. With a captive audience they have no need to hire high-end guides with the depth of wildlife expertise offered by Wild Planet's high-end biologist and naturalist guides.)

Ultimate Wildlife 10.5-Day EcoTour

A shorter version of our most popular itinerary emphasizing wildlife and bird-watching "off the beaten path." This is our signature wildlife adventure, with many of Wild Planet's special touches, including:

* More value than any other professional wildlife tour, including over 7 paid admissions to national parks, wildlife refuges, private wildlife reserves, and adventure activities such as canopy tours and hot springs.

* Expert Local Naturalist Guides Even biologists in some places.

* Breathtaking Rainforest Lodges Each specially chosen for the unique access they offer to our unique wildlife destinations, as well as their distinct level of comfort. Many have been featured in top magazines and guidebooks for excelling in quality and comfort.

* Specifically designed to optimize the chances of seeing more wildlife by visiting a variety of different eco-systems, with no commercial "filler" activities.

Start your adventure with a visit to Toucan Rescue Ranch wildlife rescue center, a beautiful sanctuary for rescued sloths and other wildlife. On your tour you may have an opportunity to witness the feeding of the baby sloths! This sloth rescue experience is far superior to the Sloth Sanctuary on the Caribbean coast, which we included in our itinerary for many years but is now servicing a huge cruise ship clientele and no longer offers the opportunity for a more personal and intimate experience with the sloths. We learned about the Toucan Rescue’s sloth program through the sloth veterinarian at the Sloth Sanctuary, who is also the veterinarian for the sloths at Toucan Rescue. We’ve been thrilled to discover that Toucan Rescue offers exactly the same quality of intimate sloth program that the Sloth Sanctuary used to offer in the past. You will love their sloths!

Upon arrival we’ll have some free time to relax from our journey and explore the grounds of our lodge. After dinner, we may embark on a short night hike looking for kinkajou, sleeping monkeys and sloths, caiman and other nocturnal animals such as red-eyed tree frogs or poison-arrow frogs. Then canoe in a private wildlife refuge through virgin wetlands where rainforest canals (similar to Tortuguero, but without the crowds!) are habitat for exotic colorful birds such as the purple gallinule, boat-billed heron and northern jacana.

In the afternoon, we'll hike in Cahuita National Park, a crowd-free rainforest beach teeming with monkeys, sloths, toucans and more. We'll usually see 5-12 troops of monkeys of 2 species (with 3-30 individuals in each troop) as well as 5-20 sloths of 2 species, and a wide variety of other wildlife common to the Caribbean lowlands. This easy-paced hike ends with relaxing on the beach before heading into Cahuita for a fresh-caught seafood dinner at one of the most acclaimed restaurants on the Caribbean coast.

The Sarapiqui is one of the highlights of every paddler's "dream trip." Passing directly through La Selva Biological Reserve, the river is surrounded by old-growth rainforest and exotic birds. The next day we'll run the Puerto Viejo River, a remote river that rarely sees any humans besides us!

Wild Planet Adventures Exclusive

Choose from rafts or inflatable kayaks for both whitewater and flat-water segments. More boats spread out along a wider stretch the river exposes us to more wildlife habitat, which means we see more wildlife! And in the flat-water sections we can stop, get out of our rafts and observe wildlife for a more intimate experience of the rainforest and wildlife than any other conventional tour.

DAY 5 Arenal Volcano, Hot Springs, Wildlife InteractionIn the morning we visit Mirador el Silencio, a Wildlife Reserve located 12 km from the center of La Fortuna and only 5 km from the Arenal Volcano National Park. The Reserve comprises 225 hectares of protected land that cover more than 100 hectares of primary forest. There are some particularly interesting animals that can sometimes be seen here, due to the uniqueness of the eco-system. Sightings have included oncilla, grison, peccary, coati, armadillo, paca, 3 species of monkeys and 2 species of sloth, as well as many birds, amphibians and reptiles.

Later, we'll enjoy soaking in a spectacular hot springs at the base of the Arenal Volcano, with spectacular views of the volcano, right from our lodge!

Wildlife: Resplendent quetzals, trogons, rare hummingbirds and hundreds of birds unique to the cloud forest. Howler monkeys and other small mammals.

The bio-diversity and exuberance of life in the cloudforest is a result of clouds drifting in and dripping constant moisture on the dense canopy tops. A naturalist guide points out a stunning array of plant and birdlife, perhaps even the endangered resplendent quetzal. Later, a series of suspended bridges and platforms offers an unforgettable glimpse of life high amongst the canopy and the transcendent sensation of walking amongst the clouds.

An old growth forest of striking complexity and density, Carara's giant trees include 10 of the rarest hardwoods in Costa Rica. The unique combination of ecosystems is habitat for many rare and endangered animals, including one of the largest populations of scarlet macaws in the country, which migrate twice daily from the inland rainforest to the coastal mangrove swamps.

Extensions:

Much of Costa Rica's coral reef has been destroyed due to polluted run-off from banana plantations, which means the snorkeling is poor at best. However, the nearby archipelago of Bocas del Toro just across the border in Panama is world renowned for some of the best snorkeling in all of Central America, even better than that of Belize's renowned barrier reef. Bocas has coral of every imaginable color, teeming with marine life, as well as dolphins and turtles. On islands such as Bastimentos you can visit an authentic indigenous village and hike with indigenous guides to see the endemic strawberry poison arrow frog and rare night monkeys, neither of which exist in Costa Rica.

Tortuguero National Park

A natural network of scenic jungle canal navigable only by boat, Tortuguero protects over 350 species of birds and mammals, including endangered great green macaws and jaguars. It is one of the most important nesting sites for green sea turtles. Enjoy boating, canoeing and wildlife watching from your waterfront lodge. Call for different price options.

Drake Bay

Explore Osa's wild northern end. Hike Corcovado National Park with local naturalist guides, boat to Cano Island for a day of snorkeling, or just relax at one of Costa Rica's best jungle lodges. Call for different price options.

Costa Rica Lodging

Our Ultimate Wildlife itinerary specializes in small, one-of-a-kind rainforest and jungle lodges, many of which have been featured on the Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, and in top travel magazines such as Travel & Leisure and Conde Naste Traveler. Great care has gone into our selection of lodging partners, with particular emphasis on lodges that offer outstanding wildlife viewing opportunities. These breathtaking lodges offer all the comforts of home, including hot & cold water, flush toilets, tastefully decorated beds (often orthopedic with Guatemalan fabrics), and delicious home cooked meals, sometimes extravagant, always healthy, and catering to special dietary needs.

CAHUITA

La Diosa

Hotel La Diosa is a wonderful place to stay in Cahuita. They have 10 cabins designed in Caribbean style and painted in vibrant colors. A beautiful beach awaits just a few steps from the hotel. A swimming pool surrounded by coconut palm trees also provides a place in which to relax.

Suizo Loco Lodge (Alternate Lodge)

Enjoy the swiss quality under the caribbean sun in a charming eco-friendly boutique hotel! The hotel offers a sense of peace and security on a small piece of land where you are lulled by the music of nature. The place is green year round, ideal for nature lovers.

SARAPIQUI

La Quinta de Sarapiqui

La Quinta is an eco-lodge nationally certified by the Costa Rican Tourists Board with its Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST). La Quinta has 5 Leaves level, being 5 Leaves the maximum qualification. The CST is a comprehensive program that categorizes and certifies each tourism company to the degree they comply with the model of sustainable tourism.La Quinta strives to have little, to no negative impact on its immediate environment. Every effort is taken to co-exist harmoniously with our surroundings. Our ten acres are composed of regenerating agriculture, a reforested area with native trees, an old-growth forest on the riverside and tropical gardens.We will always treat our environment with the utmost care and responsibility, and would greatly appreciate your help in upholding these practices while you are here. Please consider this your home, and your family, during your visit, and help protect what we have held sacred for so many years. We hope you enjoy the natural beauty of this place as so other guests have done before you.

ARENAL

Arenal Springs (Alternate Lodge)

Each distinctive Junior Suite comes with direct views to the beautiful Arenal Volcano. Each room is surrounded by exotic gardens, and beautiful flowers, where Costa Rica's native species of birds and animals are readily seen.

Hotel Los Lagos

Located in the Arenal region, this is an exclusive resort with its own 13 platform Canopy Tour, private hot springs, and a spectacular observation point on the property. You can enjoy five different pools of natural hot water and regular pools tucked away in their own enclaves. The views offered here are complimented by stunning grounds and great attention to detail throughout. Los Lagos received a Trip Adviser Certificate of Excellence in 2012.

Arenal Paraiso (Alternate Lodge)

Hotel Arenal Paraiso offers spectacular views of the Arenal Volcano. The accommodations are surrounded by lush tropical gardens and walking paths, and guests will enjoy using the hotel’s swimming pools and hot springs.

MONTEVERDE

Hotel Montana

Located on a ridge with spectacular views of the Gulf of Nicoya, this recently remodeled mountain lodge features spacious, comfortable rooms, many with jacuzzi tubs. Behind the lodge is a pond that attracts bellbirds and many of Monteverde's most famous animals and birds -- a wildlife lover's delight!

Trapp Family Lodge Monteverde (Alternate Lodge)

The closest lodge to the Monteverde Reserve, Trapp is built in a classic mountain lodge style, with rich hardwoods and magnificent cloudforest views. Inside, you'll feel like you're in the Swiss Alps, as its mountain decor and spacious suites showcase one of the newest lodges in Monteverde. Owned and operated by Costa Ricans, you can't get any closer to the cloudforest reserve than this acclaimed lodge. Recent Wild Planet trips were delighted by a nesting pair of Resplendent Quetzals only 50 meters from our panoramic windows!

The resort features well-appointed rooms, several restaurants featuring diverse menus, multiple bars and lounges, a world-class spa, a tennis court, three ocean-view pools.

Villas Nicolas (Alternate Lodge)

Ideally situated in a quiet, secluded area of Manuel Antonio, Villa Nicolas's comfortable rooms are surrounded by tropical gardens and visited by pleasant ocean breezes. A pool, outdoor bar and restaurant give this a relaxed ocean villa vibe.

SAN JOSE

Hotel Buena Vista

A lovely boutique resort located 15 minutes from the International airport. Set in lush mountains, with incredible views of the Poas, Barva and Irazú volcanoes, the Central Valley, tropical forests and coffee plantations.

Trapp Family Lodge Alajuela

The Trapp Family Country Inn is located only 1 mile from Juan Santamaria International Airport. They offer comfortable accommodations along with genuine family service in a peaceful atmosphere. This colonial style hotel is surrounded by beautiful gardens with centenary fig trees. From the private balcony of your room, in the terrace or by the pool, you will enjoy nature and relax with the musical sound of the birds. A true oasis in the middle of the city.

Xandari

A great value for a little more upscale lodge, Xandari Resort & Spa is a tropical paradise of 24 individually designed villas nestled on a 40 acre plantation overlooking the Central Valley of Costa Rica, and only 20 minutes from the San Jose International Airport. Stroll through botanic gardens interspersed with sculpture. A wide range of plants are identified. Hike over 4 kilometers of private scenic trails to intimate river vistas and dramatic waterfalls. Visit our orchid house and greenhouse or relax and spend a day in our pools and spa.

Costa Rica Activities

At a Glance

As wildlife travel experts, one of our greatest advantages are some of the specially arranged activities we've created just for wildlife lovers. These exclusive, wildlife-focused activities - and our top guides - are the reasons why you maximize your chances of seeing more volume of wildlife and more rare and endangered species when you travel with Wild Planet Adventures than with any other travel company.

Hiking, Wildlife Viewing, Birdwatching

Cloudforest Canopy Tour

Whitewater and Flatwater River Running

Volcano & Hot Springs

Beaches/Ocean

Exclusive Wildlife Activities

Sarapiqui River Rafting

Choose from rafts or inflatable kayaks for both whitewater and flat-water segments. More boats spread out along a wider stretch the river exposes us to more wildlife habitat, which means we see more wildlife! And in the flat-water sections we can stop, get out of our rafts and observe wildlife for a more intimate experience of the rainforest and wildlife than any other conventional tour.

Other Activities

Hiking, Wildlife Viewing, Birdwatching

Our hiking philosophy is simple: "The slower you go, the more wildlife you see." Most of our hikes last anywhere from 2 to 4 hours and the pace is a relaxed meander. with frequent stops to observe nature and wildlife. We may even spend intimate time with a troop of wild monkeys, especially if we observe exciting behaviors such as teaching a newborn to walk, a conflict involving an alpha male, or anything else that has what we call a high "wow" factor.

Cloudforest Canopy Tour

The bio-diversity and exuberance of life in the cloudforest is a result of clouds drifting in and dripping constant moisture on the dense canopy tops. A series of suspended bridges and platforms offers an unforgettable glimpse of life high amongst the canopy and the transcendent sensation of walking amongst the clouds.

Volcano & Hotspring

Enjoy soaking in a spectacular hot springs at the base of the Arenal Volcano, with spectacular views of the volcano, right from our lodge!

Costa Rica Wildlife

Prolific Sightings

Wild Planet's wildlife eco-tours are designed for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. Our "Ultimate Wildlife" eco-adventures are specially designed for maximum wildlife viewing. We take care to seek out wildlife that is rare, off the beaten path, and in greater numbers than you will see on conventional tours. Our expert naturalist guides will educate you in the field so your experience is intimate and unparalleled. Still, wildlife viewing can unpredictable and requires patience and sensory awareness. A partial list of some of the animals you are likely to see is below.

Costa Rica Guides

Josh Cohen

Josh Cohen Wild Planet's Director

Josh personally hand-crafts all of Wild Planet's itineraries to reflect his own love of wildlife and the transformational power of nature. The Costa Rica Ultimate Wildlife itineraries remain his favorite after guiding them for nearly a decade. A dedicated wildlife enthusiast and conservationist, his keen eyes and love of nature still make him Wild Planet's most requested guide.

Rayner Araya

Rayner Araya Biologist & Naturalist Guide

I grew up in the forest where I spent my time exploring and discovering nature, playing with poison dart frogs, ants, butterflies, beetles and many other jewels, soon I became fascinated about natural history and science. Since very early in life I Knew I wanted to spend my time doing something that involved nature. I think I was very lucky because I happened to be in one of the hotspots for biodiversity and international conservation efforts, this combined with the educated and friendly Costa Rican people make a suitable destination for travelers from all over the world. As a Naturalist Guide I get to share my passion for wildlife and conservation and I get to explore many different ecosystems constantly in my trips. I went to school for Tourism and Biology, I think this makes a great combination to work in the always growing tourism industry. Before working as a Naturalist Guide I worked for OTS, a worldwide known organization dedicated to Tropical Biology Research which is featured in Wild Planet Adventures' Ultimate Wildlife eco-tour. It was here that I met Josh Cohen and began guiding for Wild Planet Adventures.

I love traveling and travelers, I truly believe that by traveling and being exposed to different cultures, languages and life styles we become more tolerant, we learn to accept our differences and that can only make the world a better place!

Koky Porras

Koky Porras Legendary Master Naturalist

Koky's amazing ability to accurately call birds to him has made him the "guide of choice" for scientists researching Monteverde's famous quetzals and bellbirds. Koky has also helped to train many of Monteverde's world-class guides. The cloudforest where Koky has lived his whole life is widely known as the hardest place to guide in all of Costa Rica. Here it requires extremely sharp eyes to spot wildlife because the foliage is more dense than anywhere else in the country. In addition, many species have slight differences in their appearance with as little as 150 meters of elevation change, so it requires an enormous amount of experience to identify birds and wildlife instantaneously. Koky's fascination with the symbiotic relationships in nature is as contagious as his love of laughter.

Costa Rica Departures

Costa Rica-Ultimate Wildlife 10.5-Day EcoTour

Jan 05, 2019 - Jan 14, 2019

10-days

$4,298

Jan 12, 2019 - Jan 21, 2019

10-days

$4,298

Jan 19, 2019 - Jan 28, 2019

10-days

$4,298

Jan 26, 2019 - Feb 04, 2019

10-days

$4,298

Feb 09, 2019 - Feb 18, 2019

10-days

$4,298

Feb 23, 2019 - Mar 04, 2019

10-days

$4,298

Mar 09, 2019 - Mar 18, 2019

10-days

$4,298

Mar 23, 2019 - Apr 01, 2019

10-days

$4,298

Apr 13, 2019 - Apr 22, 2019

10-days

$4,298

Jun 22, 2019 - Jul 01, 2019

10-days

$4,298

Jun 29, 2019 - Jul 08, 2019

10-days

$4,298

Jul 06, 2019 - Jul 15, 2019

10-days

$4,298

Jul 13, 2019 - Jul 22, 2019

10-days

$4,298

Jul 20, 2019 - Jul 29, 2019

10-days

$4,298

Jul 27, 2019 - Aug 05, 2019

10-days

$4,298

Dec 14, 2019 - Dec 23, 2019

10-days

$4,548

Dec 21, 2019 - Dec 30, 2019

10-days

$4,548

Dec 25, 2019 - Jan 03, 2020

10-days

$4,548

*Pricing in blue reflects peak week/high season departure

**Pricing
for the above scheduled group departure dates are subject to the
minimum numbers of travelers for scheduled departures, which is
indicated in the “Pricing Details” link at the top of this page. Any
departure — whether scheduled or private — with less than the minimum
group size will still be guaranteed to depart, but at the private
“go-on-your-own” rates which require a minimum of only 2 travelers. We
will also extend the lower group rate even for private departures not
listed above, as long as the minimum group size is met.

Costa Rica FAQ

Costa Rica Facts for Visitors

Climate/Best Time to Go:

Costa Rica boasts 12 climatic zones, surprising travelers with a wide variety of temperature and rainfall conditions year-round. In general, temperatures in the lowlands range from the low 70's to the high 80's, cooler at elevation. The temperature on top of the continental divide can vary from the mid 50's to low 80's in Monteverde to the 30's on Chirripo, with enveloping clouds drifting over the mountains and bringing mist and occasional rain. December through May is the dry season in most places except the Caribbean coast, which is dryer January through March, but has no real dry season. The "green season" begins very slowly in June and tapers off in July for about 3 weeks which native Costa Ricans call "Little Summer". So don't let rain scare you away from the rainforest! Even in the green season there is plenty of sunshine and great weather for your vacation. Best time to go: late December through early August

Government:

A stable democracy for more than 100 years, Costa Rica is a peaceful nation in the midst of a region that has been troubled by turmoil for centuries. Costa Rica also has the highest standard of living of any Central American country, including literacy rates, medical standards and facilities are all quite high. Costa Ricans are extremely proud that they do not have an army.

Location:

Costa Rica lies on the southern part of Central America, bordered on the south by Panama and on the North by Nicaragua. It's land mass is referred to as an isthmus, which is bordered by the sparkling waters of the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean and contains the mountains of the continental divide.

Size:

Approximately 51,100 square mile--about half the size of the state of Kentucky. Only 120 km wide in some points, Costa Rica would be easy to traverse were it not for the extreme variation in ecosystems and the continental divide. Over 27% of the country's 12 distinct ecological zones are in protected areas.

Population:

The population of Costa Rica is approximately 5 million, mostly of Spanish descent. Costa Rican people call themselves "ticos" (male) or "ticas" (female.) They are extremely friendly, polite, well educated, and enthusiastic about their country. Costa Rica is home to a large international community as well.

Language:

Spanish is the official language and is spoken, thankfully, at a speed that is much easier to understand than many other countries. English is widely understood, especially in tourist areas, hotels, lodges and restaurants.

Entry Requirements:

A passport and return ticket is required to enter Costa Rica. No visas are required for citizens of the US, UK, Canada, Japan and many others.

Customs:

US residents are permitted a $400 per person (or $1,100 per family) duty-free tax exemption upon returning to the US

Departure Tax:

Approximately US $35.00

Currency:

Local currency is the Colon. One US dollar is worth approximately 375 Colon. US dollars are accepted in many places in Costa Rica. Credit Cards/Travelers Checks: Nearly all hotels, restaurants and shops in the major towns and tourist areas take all major credit cards. Street vendors and smaller establishments in remote areas may accept only cash or travelers checks. Its important to keep travelers checks in a waterproof pouch, as they are considered void if they get wet.

Telecommunications:

All telecommunications services (direct dial phones, fax, telex, cable) are available; but calls from Costa Rica are much higher than an equivalent call to Costa Rica. The country code for Costa Rica is (506) Remote jungle lodges usually have short wave radio communications linked to cellular service.

Time Zone:

Costa Rica is in the Central Standard Time zone, and does not utilize daylight saving time. There is very little seasonal variation between dawn and dusk due to the proximity to the equator, dawn is usually 6:00 am and dusk 6:00 pm.

Sales Taxes:

Costa Rica has high taxes, roughly 15% sales tax and there may be 15% service charge in many hotels and restaurants.

Tipping:

Tipping is voluntary; tips of 15% are acceptable; more if the service is exceptionally good. Some hotels and restaurants add a 15 percent service.

Water:

While the water is said to be safe in most of Costa Rica, we recommend bottled water in most places. Do not eat fruit you have not pealed yourself, stay away from leafy vegetables like lettuce, and avoid ice cubes. These are common causes of amebic dysentery and giardia, both of which are unpleasant enough to be worth avoiding at all costs.